Method and means for tunneling or the like in rock



Fmml m gramma@ ARCH '91, OCL 13, 1953 J. P. DANIELssoN 2,655,360

METHOD AND MEANS FOR TUNNELING OR THE LIKE IN ROCK Filed sept. 15. 1948 O 4 sheets-sheet 1 N J l l l I l b. l R

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v` A TTORNEY Qcf- 13, 1953 J. P. DANIELssoN 2,655,360

METHOD AND MEANS FOR TUNNELING OR THELIKE IN ROCK Oct. 13, 1953 J. P. DANn-:Ls'soN 2,655,350

METHOD AND MEANS FORVTUNNELING OR THE LIKE IN ROCK Filed Sept. l5. 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 13, 1953 J, P, DAN|EL$5QN 2,655,360

METHOD AND MEANS FOR TUNELING OR THE LIKE IN ROCK Filed Sept. 15, 1948 4 SheetS-Shet 4 Patented Oct. 13, 1953 N METHOD AND MEANS FOR TUNNELING OR THE LIKE IN ROCK' J an Patrik Danielsson, Stockholm, Sweden, as-

signor to Aktiebolaget Atlas Diesel, Stockholm, Sweden, a corporation of Sweden Application September 15, 1948, Serial No. 49,318 In Sweden September 20, 1947v 'l Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in method and means for tunneling and similar operations in rock. In the construction of tunnels or the like in rock it is very important that the drilling ofthe rock and the transportation to and from the working place is carried out in a manner which makes possible the most eicient utilization of the mechanical equipment, the transportation means, and the man power necessary for the different operations. A great numvber of differentmethods have been employed all of which endeavour to reduce the costs per cubic meter finished tunnel space or removed material and the present invention relates to improved methods and means for the construction of tunnels or the like in rock. Tunneling or the like according to the invention comprises drilling holes in rock at least partly from a drill wagon or the like permitting passage of a loader and a transport train therethrough and capable of lifting away a car of said train so as to permit other cars of the train to pass said car, retracting said drill wagon or the like after drilling said holes far enough to permit blasting of the rock, blasting the rock, advancing a loader through the drill wagon or the like towards the loose rock, advancing a transport train through the drill wagon or the like up to said loader, uncoupling and lifting away cars of said train by means of the drill wagon or the like so as to permit the rest of the train to pass and changing of loaded and empty cars of the train to take place until the whole train is loaded, and moving the loaded train away. It has also proved particularly advantageous to use four parallel rails forming threev parallel tracksy with the samegauge for moving the transport train and sometimes also the drill wagon or the like and/or the loader. The invention also relates to a special drill wagon or combined drill carriage and cherry picker particularly suitable for carrying out the improved method, and also to a mobile switch for use in connection with the above mentioned combination of tracks.

In the accompanying drawings the method and means according to the invention are illustrated diagrammatically by way of example. Fig. 1 is a vertical section and Fig. 2 a horizontal section of a tunnel infrock and of tracks, a drill wagon, and a switch according to the invention provided therein. Fig. 3 is a vertical section and Fig. 4 a

horizontal section of the same tunnel during loading of the loose rock on a transport train. Fig. 5 is a cross section of the tunnel on lines V-V in Fig. 1 on a larger scale illustrating the drill wagon in working position for drilling. Fig.

6 is a similar cross section on line VI-VI of Fig. 3 illustrating the drill wagon during the loading operation with an empty elevated car, and Fig. 7 is a side view of the drill wagon according to Fig. 6.

i In the drawings I designates a tunnel in rock on the bottom of which four parallel rails 2, 3, 4, 5 are disposed at equal distances forming three tracks 2-3, 3 4, 4-5 with the 'same gauge. In 'Order to keep the distances between the four rails constant said rails may preferably be mounted and secured to sleepers 6 common tothe three tracks and each extending across the whole tunnel. A drill wagon 1 is movable on the two extreme rails 2, 5 and a loader 8 on thetwo intermediate rails 3, 4. The drill wagon is constructed in such a manner that the loader may pass through the drill wagon. 9 indicates an empty transport train and I0 a transport train which is being loaded and which for this purpose stands on the track 34. At a distance from the inner end of the tunnel corresponding to somewhat more than twice the length of the train a movable switch is provided. Said switch consists of a base II movable on the four rails and capable of being clamped to said rails in any position by 'means of a not illustrated clamping device. The switch I I has rails I2, I3 and I4, I5 disposed thereon forming transit tracks between the track 3-4 and the tracks 2-3 and 4 5, respectively. so that transport trains may be changed from one of these tracks to the other. The switch is furthermore provided with two rails I6, I'I forming a transit track between the portions of the track 3-4 disposed at opposite ends of the switch.

The drill wagon 1 consists of a movable frame.. work or trestle at one end of which a working platform I8 is arranged from which drilling of the upper portions of the tunnel section may be carried out from the platform itself and sometimes from auxiliary trestles provided thereon. The platform I8 consists of members I9 secured by means of hinged joints to beams 20 extending forwardly at one end of the drill wagon and the members I9 are supported in horizontal position by rods 2|, which in the horizontal position of the members I9 are pushed into oval openings 22 in the beams 20. The members I9 may be swung downwardly when the rods 2I are removed and in this position permit cars 23 to pass through the drill wagon, as is obvious from Fig. 6. Fig. 6 also shows in chain dotted lines the contour of the loader 8, illustrating that the loader 8 may alsopass through the drill wagon when the' members I9 are swung downwardly. The

Tunneling according to the invention is car;

ried out in the following manner:

The four parallel rails 2, 3, 4, 5 are carried forward to the vicinity of the working front 2l of the tunnel, whereupon the drill Wagon 'l is advanced to the position illustrated in Figs. land 2. The necessary holes are then drilled with drills mounted partly on the bottom of the tunnel and partly on the platforms I8, 24 and sometimes on auxiliary trestles placed on said platforms. l

When drilling is finished *the drill wagon is'retracted on the rails 2, 5 to a sheltered position during the blasting, 'and is then movedlto the position illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the drill Wagon being then disposed from'the working front at a distance corresponding to the length of the loader and one train. The loader 8 is.

then advanced towards the loose rock 28 indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, the loader being for this purpose moved over the switch Il on the rails I6, Il and, furthermore, on the track 3 4 through the drill wagon 1. Then an empty train is advanced, for instance from the side track 4 5 over the switch II to the central track 3 4 and furthermore through the drill wagon up to the loader 8. While the car adjacent the loader is lled an empty car is uncoupled from the train and elevated by means of the lifting means 25 to the position illustrated by the car 26 in Fig. 6. As soon as the car adjacent the loader is'iilled the train moves out through the drill wagon towards the switch and the empty elevated car in the drill wagon is then lowered on the track 3 4 and coupled to the train, which again moves towards the loader which starts to load said empty oar. The described operations are then repeated until all cars of the train are loaded, whereupon the train moves away over the switch Il to the free track 2 3. Another empty train 9, which has been kept waiting, then moves from the track 4 5 to the track 3 4 and through the drill wagon to the loader and is loaded in a simi- A.

lar manner. l

The above described method and means for tunneling should be considered only as an example as the details of the invention may be modified in different ways within the scope of the claims. For instance, instead of trains and loaders movable on rails, trains and loaders may be used which move on rubber tires, caterpillar bands, or the like.

What I claim is:

l. In rock tunneling by the method of blasting rock from a Working face by blasting operations alternating with removal, by the aid of a loader and a train of cars, of rock loosened by.

the preceding blasting operation, that improve-l ment which comprises providing `a drill Wagon permitting the passage therethrough of a loader and cars and including means for lifting a car to a position permitting the movement of other` cars through the Wagon without interference from the lifted car and at least one working platform at an end of the wagon, utilizing said wagon in a position adjacent to said working face to support drills on said working platform vfor drilling holes in the rock preparatory to avblastin'g operation, advancing a loader through said wagon to the vicinity of said face after the blasting operation, advancing a train of cars through said wagon to the loader, uncoupling and lifting selected cars from the train by said lifting means to a position permitting the passage of other cars through the wagon without interference from a lifted car, loading the car at the end "of' the train adjacent to the loader and moving the train relative to said Wagon and a car lifted thereby to permit exchange of loaded and empty cars in the train until all of the cars thereof are loaded.

2. In rock tunneling by the method of blasting rock from a working face by blasting operations alternating with removal, by the aid of a loader vand a train of cars, of rock loosened by the preceding, blasting operation, that improvement which comprises providing a drill Wagon permitting the passage of a loader and cars therethrough and including means for lifting a car to a level above that of cars at floor level and at least one Working platform at an end of the Wagon, utilizing said Wagon in a position adjacent to said working face to support drills on said working platform for drilling holes in the rock preparatory to a blasting operation, advancing a loader through said wagon to the vicinity of said face after the blasting operation, advancing a train of cars through said wagon to the loader, uncoupling and lifting an empty car from the train by said lifting means to a level above that of the remaining cars of the train, loading the car at the end of the train adjacent to the working face, backing the train away from the loader and a train of cars, of rock loosened by the preceding blasting operation, that improvement which comprises providing four parallel rails, the` tWo inner rails forming a central track and the two outer rails a track of Wider gauge than said central track, providing a Wheeled drill Wagon movable upon the outermost of said rails, said Wagon permitting the passage therethrough of a loader and cars and including means for lifting a car to a position permitting the passage of other cars through the wagon Without interference from the lifted car and at least one working platform at an end of the wagon, utilizing said Wagon in a lposition adjacent to the Working face to support drills on said working platform for drilling holes in the rock preparatory to a blasting operation, advancing a loader through said wagon on said central track to the vicinity of said face after said blasting operation, advancing a train of cars on said central track to the loader, uncoupling and lifting selected cars from the train by said lifting means to a position permittingthe passage of other cars through the Wagon without interference from a lifted car, loading the car at the end of the train adjacent to the loader and moving the train relative to said Wagon and a car lifted thereby to permit exchange of loaded and empty cars in the train until all of the cars thereof are loaded.

rock from aworking face by blasting operationsY alternating with removal, by the aid of a loader and a train of cars, of rock loosened by the preceding blasting operation, that improvement which comprises providing four parallel rails forming a central track and two side tracks all of equal gage, providing a switch for selectively connecting each of said two side tracks with said central track, providing a wheeled drill wagon movable upon the outermost of said rails, said wagon permitting the passage therethrough of a loader and cars and including means for lifting a car to a position permitting the passage of other cars through the wagon without interference from the lifted car, utilizing said wagon in a position adjacent to the working face to support drills for drilling holes in the rock preparatory to Aa blasting operation, advancing a loader through said wagon on said central track to the vicinity of said face after said blasting operation, advancing a train of cars from one of said side tracks over said switch to said central track and on said central track through the drill wagon to said loader, uncoupling and lifting selected cars from said central track by said lifting means to a position permitting passage of other cars through the wagon without interference from a lifted car, loading the car at the end of the train adjacent to the loader, moving the train relative to said wagon and a car lifted thereby to permit exchange of loaded and empty cars in the train until all of the cars thereof are loaded, and moving the loaded train away through said drill wagon on the central track and over said switch to the other of said side tracks.

5. In rock tunneling by the method of blasting rock from a working face by blasting operations alternating with removal, by the aid of a loader and a train of cars, of rock loosened by the preceding blasting operation, that improvement which comprises providing a drill wagon having a passage for movement of a loader and a train of cars therethrough and including a sectional working platform comprising a section extending in normal working position across said passage and means for lifting a car to a position ,f

permitting other cars to pass the lifted car without interference therefrom, utilizing said wagon in a position adjacent to the working face to support drills for drilling holes in the rock pre-k paratory to a blasting operation, moving said section of the working platform after the blasting operation from said working position to clear said passage, advancing a loader through the cleared passage, advancing a train of cars through said passage, uncoupling and lifting selected cars from the train by said lifting means to a position permitting other cars to move through said passage without interference from a lifted car, loading the car at the end of the train adjacent to the loader, moving the train relative to said wagon and a car lifted thereby to permit exchange of loaded and empty cars in the train until all of the cars thereof are loaded, moving the loaded train away from the wagon, repeating the operations to load additional trains if requiredto remove the loose rock from the preceding blasting operation, removing the loader through said cleared passage, and moving said section of the working platform to said working position preparatory to drilling for the succeeding blasting operation.

6. A drill wagon for tunneling operations, said wagon comprising a straddle-type framework providing a passage through the wagon for a loader and cars, lifting means carried by said framework above a portion of said passage for lifting a car to a position in which other cars may pass through said portion of the passage without interference from the lifted car, and a sectional working platform having a section extending across another portion of said passage at a level above floor level but too low when in normal working position to permit passage of a loader and cars through the last mentioned portion of the passage, said section being movable from said normal working position to another position permitting passage of a loader and cars through the last mentioned portion of said passage.

7. A drill wagon for tunneling operations, said wagon comprising a straddle-type framework providing a passage through the wagon for a loader and cars, lifting means carried by said framework above a portion of said passage for lifting a car to a position in which other cars may pass through the passage without interference from the lifted car, and a working platform at a level above floor level projecting from the wagon at one end thereof,and providing space for drill runners and drills below and on said working platform.

JAN PATRIK DANIELSSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

